Clach an Tiompain

Clach an Tiompain is a Pictish stone and scheduled monument located in Fodderty in the Scottish Highlands. The rectangular slab features two incised symbols on its east-facing surface and rests on an artificial mound.

This stone dates to the Pictish period, an early era in Scottish history when Pictish people shaped the landscape and culture of this region. It preserves the craftsmanship and symbolic language of that distant time.

The stone earned its local name from the bird symbol carved into its surface, reflecting how people connected its imagery to nature. The Gaelic name hints at an older tradition tied to sound or resonance.

The stone stands in the open landscape and is easily accessible with no barriers around it. The area is marked by a protected zone about 8 meters in diameter, which visitors should respect when viewing the monument.

The horseshoe figure at the top contains decorative curved lines and small circles that were laboriously chiseled by hand into the hard stone. These ornamental patterns reveal the sophisticated carving skill of the artisans who created it.